Bovaur
The Bovaur are a robust and imposing subrace of Faunari, inspired by the mighty cows and bison of the natural world. Standing tall and broad-shouldered, Bovaur possess a mix of animalistic strength and noble stature. While each individual can exhibit different characteristics based on their particular lineage—be it from cows, bison, or even other hooved creatures—there are certain features that are common across all Bovaur.
The Bovaur are known for their majestic, powerful presence, and their imposing physicality often commands respect. Despite their size and strength, they tend to carry themselves with a calm and grounded demeanor. They are rarely the first to act in an aggressive manner, instead relying on their stature and strength to deter threats. Their physicality is well suited for farming, herding, and combat situations requiring endurance and resilience.
Some Bovaur may also exhibit distinctive traits depending on the subspecies, such as extra bony plates or ridges along their shoulders and spine, or particularly long fur that gives them a more intimidating appearance. Their facial structure can also vary, with some Bovaur sporting broad, square jaws and others having more narrow, angular faces.
Basic Information
Behaviour
Bovaur culture prizes endurance and patience above all else, qualities they believe are necessary to overcome hardship. Their society views impulsive actions as reckless, and they often advise younger generations to take time to think before acting. This careful approach makes them seen as wise and dependable by other Faunari and Commonkind races, who seek their counsel in times of trouble.
Physically, the Bovaur’s imposing strength is matched by their mental endurance. They are stoic in the face of challenges and rarely show fear, drawing strength from their connection to their ancestors and the earth itself. Bovaur culture encourages each member to become as resilient as stone, both physically and mentally.
With their deep connection to the land, many Bovaur feel a spiritual kinship with Earth magic, and some have a natural affinity for it, often becoming Stonecallers—spiritual guides who can channel the strength and stability of the earth. They use their abilities to protect the clan and nurture their lands, channeling energy into agriculture, creating protective wards, or reinforcing natural structures around their territory.
The Bovaur believe that the land and its creatures must be respected, and they practice sustainable farming and herding, often honoring the spirits of the animals they care for and the fields they harvest. Rituals for planting and harvest are key to their culture, symbolizing their reliance on and gratitude to the earth.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Clan-based Communities: Bovaur organize themselves into large, familylike clans often named after landscapes they inhabit or recurring physical traits. Each clan is led by an elder known as the Grandsire who helps make decisions for the good of the clan and is a part of the Council of Rumbles (all Grandsires meet for the good of Bovaur entirely). They foster unity, tradition preservation.
While each Bovaur values individual resilience, they hold communal welfare above personal ambition, making clans tightly-knit, cooperative units. Every member has a role, whether it be in agriculture, crafting, or protecting the clan, and these roles are seen as lifelong callings that contribute to the clan’s success.
The Bovaur place a high value on mentorship and passing down knowledge from one generation to the next. Skills are often taught within families, with young Bovaur training under their elders to develop the specific craft or role they will uphold as adults. This mentorship extends beyond families; those with special aptitudes may be chosen to study under elders from other families, solidifying a clan-wide web of connections.
Lineage is also important, and the Bovaur honor their ancestors by recounting family stories, tracing their family line, and upholding the traditions established by their forebears. Their names are often long and imbued with meaning, reflecting not only their immediate family but also significant ancestors or heroic figures in the clan’s history.
Within each clan, a special class known as the Earthwardens is responsible for the defense of their community and territory. Earthwardens train from a young age in the art of combat and physical resilience, and their role is seen as an honor, respected for their dedication to protection. Though formidable in strength, they are also known for their wisdom and restraint, acting as peacekeepers within the clan.
Facial characteristics
The Bovaur's face is broad, with features that can resemble both cattle and bison. Their noses are large and flat, often adorned with horns or bony protrusions—a common feature among bison or certain wild cow breeds. The eyes of a Bovaur are usually dark, ranging from deep brown to golden amber, and are framed by heavy brows, lending them a stoic, contemplative expression. Their eyes often reflect a sense of stoic wisdom, mirroring their nature as silent protectors of their communities.
A defining characteristic of the Bovaur is their horns. While the size and shape of these horns vary depending on the subrace, they are generally broad, powerful, and can curve upward, outward, or back in a variety of styles, mimicking the diversity of real-world bison and cows. Some Bovaur may have immense, sweeping horns that resemble those of a buffalo, while others sport short, sharp horns akin to domestic cattle or gazelle-like horns.
Their ears are often large and rounded, but can vary in shape depending on their subrace. Some Bovaur have ears similar to bison, which are shorter and positioned higher on the head, while others may have longer, drooping ears more characteristic of certain cow breeds. Their hearing is keen, allowing them to detect subtle sounds in their environment, from the rustle of grass to distant footsteps.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Earth, Life, Spirit, Water affinity foremost. Eventually Stasis for shielding/aura. Ramming charge, Cracking stomp, additional stamina and strength.
Civilization and Culture
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
The Bovaur value rituals and storytelling as a way of honoring the past and imparting lessons to the young. They mark each season with ceremonies that often include songs, dance, and communal feasting. Storytelling is an art among the Bovaur, where history, wisdom, and moral lessons are passed down through spoken tales, shared around fires on quiet evenings or during gatherings.
A key ritual for young Bovaur is the Coming of Strength ceremony, where adolescents prove their resilience through a series of physical and mental trials set by the elders. Upon completing these, they earn their full adult status and receive a ceremonial name, often reflecting their personal character or an ancestor’s attribute.
Bovaur are also known for their impressive craftsmanship, creating sturdy, functional items that endure through generations. Their stonework and woodworking are practical and decorated with simple, geometric designs symbolizing the land, family, and clan strength. They take pride in passing down heirloom items, which hold spiritual and historical value, and are often imbued with blessings or subtle Earth magic.
Despite their imposing stature, Bovaur have a surprisingly strong tradition of music and dance. Their songs are deep, resonant, and rhythmic, often accompanied by drums or horns crafted from natural materials. These performances are not only entertainment but a means of celebrating life, honoring the earth, and reinforcing community bonds. Dances, too, are a part of their gatherings, involving slow, powerful movements that mimic the groundedness and strength of the earth.
Bovaur stand at around 6 to 7 feet tall, with muscular builds designed for strength and endurance. Their frames are heavily built, with thick, sturdy bones and broad torsos, making them formidable in both physical power and presence. Some Bovaur may be stockier, with wide-set shoulders and strong, barrel-like torsos, while others may lean toward a more lithe, long-legged frame, reminiscent of certain bison or wild cattle breeds, allowing for speed as well as strength.
- Height: 6-7 feet tall, taller than most Faunari.
- Build: Stocky and powerful with wide, muscular torsos and solid limbs.
The legs of a Bovaur are powerful and sturdy, designed for strength, able to carry heavy loads or traverse rough terrain. Their hooves are broad and thick, giving them excellent stability when moving through dense forests, rocky hills, or wide grasslands. In some instances, the hooves may have a slightly spiked or serrated edge for better traction.
Their tails are short and thick, ending in a tuft of fur or hair. In some subraces, the tail may be more sinewy and long, similar to certain bison species, and they may use their tails as a signaling tool for communication with others in their herd.
Bovaur coats are as varied as the species they resemble. Their fur can range from short, sleek coats to long, shaggy fur, especially around the neck and shoulders. The coloration of their fur spans the full spectrum found in cattle and bison, from rich browns and black to white, gray, or even pale gold. Spotted or mottled patterns are common, with some Bovaur exhibiting distinct white patches on their faces, chests, or bellies, while others might have a solid, dark coat.
- Coat Colors: Ranging from dark browns and black to white, cream, or golden hues. Some have spotted patterns, while others are more solid.
- Fur Texture: A mix of short and sleek fur to shaggy, dense fur that grows thicker around the neck, chest, and shoulders.
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